Toy Story 3

Pic source: click here.

Toy Story 3 is by far the most hilarious animation movie I have ever watched. I laughed like crazy throughout the film. I've also watched this about three or five times now. I know, crazy right? Anyway, here's some info as usual.

Director: Lee Unkrich

Writers: John Lasseter (story), Andrew Stanton (story), Lee Unkrich (story), and Michael Arndt (screenplay)

Genre: Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Casts (voice): Tom Hanks (Woody), Woody Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Joan Cusack (Jessie), and others. For the full credits on casts, click here.

Summary:

Woody, Buzz and the whole gang are back. As their owner Andy prepares to depart for college, his loyal toys find themselves in daycare where untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice. So, it's all for one and one for all as they join Barbie's counterpart Ken, a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear to plan their great escape. (From imdb)

You'd also want to check out the goofs and trivia. They're awesome! :D As always, watch out for spoilers if you haven't watched the movie yet. 

Ooh! A logical explanation for one of the goofs:

The laptop in Andy's room was open when he came in because Hamm and Rex was looking for how much they were worth on e-bay, and they didn't have the time to close it! (I figured this out the third time I watched the movie, lol.)

The great escape.

Reasons to love this movie:

1. Absolutely inspiring family story. There are tons of things you can learn from this movie.

2. A balance of everything. Adventure, comedy, togetherness... you will get sucked into this movie until the very end, and you may not want to get out. :)

3. Amazing plot. The plot can sometimes be unpredictable. It also tells a bunch of stories without anything being nonsense. Every part of the story is important to uncover the plot, and every part is a beauty and excitement.

Reasons to not like this movie:

None. For me. 

All in all, I think this movie deserves 10 out of 10 stars. This is actually the first time I've given a perfect score review for a movie and I don't think I'll regret this. A definite must watch - even though you're an adult or a grandpa, this movie will touch you.

Toy Story 3 is also one of the sequels that actually works. It's rare and ought to be appreciated.

Video trailer:

Toodle-o,

Maria

Despicable Me (2010)

To be honest, I wasn't interested to watch this movie at first. The trailer (that I watched) is not very interesting and it's an animation movie - I always think I'd spend my money for action / adventure / fantasy movies at the theatre, but Pauline and Aurel wanted to watch it... so I did.

Regret it? Pfft.

I absolutely enjoyed watching this movie. I laughed so hard it's embarrassing... *rofl*

So anyway, a couple of info, as usual:

Director: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud

Writers: Ken Daurio (screenplay), Sergio Pablos (story)

Genre: Animation | Comedy | Family

Casts: Steve Carell (Gru), Jason Segel (Vector), Russel Brand (Dr. Nefario), Julie Andrews (Gru's Mom), Miranda Cosgrove (Margo), Dana Gaier (Edith), Elsie Fisher (Agnes), Pierre Coffin (Tim, Bob, Mark, Phil, Stuart the Minions), Chris Renaud (Dave the Minion), Jemaine Clement (Jerry the Minion), etc. See the complete cast list here.

Summary, from imdb:

In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by a small army of minions, we discover Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon. (Yes, the moon!) Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays, and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad. The world's greatest villain has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes.

Superbad. Superdad.

I love the fact that Steve Carell is the voice of the main character. He is one of the few reasons I decided to agree watching this movie. Trivia! He said that Gru's accent is a cross between Ricardo Montalban and Bela Lugosi. And no, I don't know who they are.

List! Things I like in this movie:

1. Again, Steve Carell as the main character's voice.

2. It's comedy, but not too much comedy. The movie doesn't try too hard to be funny because it already is. I hate movies that try too hard to be funny they become disgusting instead. Maybe because it is also a family movie, it can't do dirty jokes. Which I appreciate (that they don't do the dirty jokes).

3. MINIONS! They're just too cute! I want a plushie. x)
The two minions down here named Dave and Jerry -auReL

4. The music. The theme music is just too cool. I really like the easy beat. And one of the composers for the score of Despicable Me is Hans Zimmer. No wonder! He is one of the composers for Pirates of Caribbean series.

In my opinion, this movie deserves 8 out of 10 stars. Aah, if only they have the shrunken minion merchandise or something. Me want. Bad.

Since I watched the 2D version, I urge you to watch the 3D. I think it's much cooler in 3D because there's a roller coaster scene.

Trailer:

Enjoy the movie!

Toodle-o,
Maria

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+++ information

The soundtrack of the movie (which I've just got it and downloaded it!)

"Despicable Me" Soundtrack Tracklisting
1. Despicable Me – Pharrell
2. Fun, Fun, Fun – Pharrell
3. I'm on a Roll – Destinee & Paris
4. Minion Mambo – The Minions
5. Boogie Fever – The Sylvers
6. My Life – Robin Thicke
7. Prettiest Girls – Pharrell
8. Rocket's Theme – Pharrell
9. You Should be Dancing – The Bee Gees
10. The Unicorn Song – Agnes

-auReL-

Shrek Forever After (2010)

I watched this movie on Thursday. One reason was because a blogger friend of mine said it was awesome. I, on the other hand, wasn't very impressed.

Average plot, average characters. Like I said, wasn't impressive.

Here's some info. As usual, from imdb:

Director: Mike Mitchell

Writers: Josh Klausner, Darren Lemke

Genre: Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Casts (voice): Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots), Julie Andrews (Queen), and many more. See the complete list of casts here.

Summary:

A bored and domesticated Shrek pacts with deal-maker Rumpelstiltskin to get back to feeling like a real ogre again, but when he's duped and sent to a twisted version of Far Far Away -- where Rumpelstiltskin is king, ogres are hunted, and he and Fiona have never met -- he sets out to restore his world and reclaim his true love.

The Final Chapter.

Maybe the reason I'm not really liking this movie is because it's too fairytale-ish. I'm sure it's perfect for kids half of my age but I guess it's just not for me. There's no 'cool' factor in this movie, just lots of educational factors, which are important for the targeted audience, but again, not for me.

And the story is like repeating the previous Shrek series. All about true love's kiss, getting Fiona's love... blablabla... *sigh*. Again and again and again, not for me. I even don't really like Shrek.

You should watch it if you're a Shrek fan, and/or you're... about 9-11 years old. Or if you're six. Or if... you just want to watch it because it makes you curious!

Tam ta-tara -- It's four stars out of ten!

Trailer:

Toodle-o,

Maria

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

This movie is based on Cressida Cowell's book with the same title, although the story is very different. 9 out of 10 stars, I'd say. The story is well developed, the animation beautiful, and the characters enticing.

Love it.

Info, taken from imdb:

Directors: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders

Writers: Cressida Cowell (based on a novel by), William Davis (screenplay)

Genre: Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Casts: Jay Baruchel (Hiccup), Gerard Butler (Stoick), America Ferrera (Astrid), Craig Ferguson (Gobber), and others. Check out the complete cast list.

Summary (taken from imdb): 

Long ago up North on the Island of Berk, the young Viking, Hiccup, wants to join his town's fight against the dragons that continually raid their town. However, his macho father and village leader, Stoik the Vast, will not allow his small, clumsy, but inventive son to do so. Regardless, Hiccup ventures out into battle and downs a mysterious Night Fury dragon with his invention, but can't bring himself to kill it. Instead, Hiccup and the dragon, whom he dubs Toothless, begin a friendship that would open up both their worlds as the observant boy learns that his people have misjudged the species. But even as the two each take flight in their own way, they find that they must fight the destructive ignorance plaguing their world.

What I think about the movie:

1. The animation is fantastic.

2. Characters are very memorable.

3. Story is well developed. In fact, the story development is so good I haven't seen a movie like this for so long. It develops the characters wonderfully, creates a very understandable main story and the other story 'branches' are also finished beautifully. I definitely love the ending. It was so real.

The only thing I wish at the end of the movie is MORE HICCUP! :) Definitely a must watch.

Toodle-o,

Maria